recently thrifted

Posted on October 7, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

Just popping in after a long day to share a few functional finds from the past couple weeks!

♥ My old mat had worn out its welcome, so I scooped up this beauty at the Goodwill on Nicollet Avenue. Originally priced at $9.99, I got it for half of that because it was a green tag sale day. I LOVE when that happens!

♥ Another Nicollet Goodwill find = this woven basket-turned-plant-holder. It’s in perfect shape, and only set me back $1.99!

♥ I leave a trail of jewelry around my house, and it’s such a horrible habit! This old ashtray makes the perfect bracelet-catcher, and the souvenir Minnesota dish holds my rings beautifully. Both were found for a song at the Salvation Army in Norfolk, Nebraska.

♥ I’ve been on the hunt for an affordable set of Christmas glasses and I found ’em in Norfolk! These aren’t super old (mid-’80s, I’m guessing) but they are in great shape, and cost 14-and-a-half cents a piece, meaning the set of eight cost just over a dollar!

♥ In the clothes department, Norfolk’s Salvation Army was refreshingly not picked over. I found tons of beautiful ’50s, ’60s and ’70s items, but settled on two ’60s-era shifts (one store-bought, the other homemade), a white ’90s maxi and a classic plaid Western snap front. (Sorry for the horrifically lazy photo!)

Been out to the thrifts lately? If so, I’d love to hear what you’ve found!

Wishing you a restful eve!!

xo,

Meghan

plain talk

Posted on September 28, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

It’s my opinion that the best road trips leave you feeling equal parts exhausted and exhilarated. After a quick out-and-back to Nebraska for the Harvest the Hope benefit, my brain is pooped, but my soul, soothed. The full day of music and wonderful company deserve kudos for much of that, but so do the miles of rolling scenery I enjoyed from the cushy comfort of the passenger seat. The picturesque prairie sunsets and acres of crispy farmland reminded me of a beautiful passage of the Stegner masterpiece I’m currently making my way through, so much so that I had to share it here, with you.

“It was very big; she felt she could see a long way, even into the future, and she felt how the world rolled under her. After she had watched the summer plains for a long time, and the smarting under her lids passed, a meadowlark sang sharp and pure from a fencepost, and she began to think that the future into which this new world of her choosing moved with her could hardly be unfriendly, could hardly be anything but good.”

Ugh, Wally, you just get me/it/everything!

Be back soon to share a few of my small-town Salvation Army finds. I scored some really cute stuff!

xoxo,

Meghan

memorial day weekend sale circuit: may 23-26

Posted on May 23, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

Memorial Day weekend is here, which means summer has officially arrived and sales galore will be happening Monday at area thrifts. As the clock winds down to the weekend (not that I’m counting, LOL), I’m here to share the sales that belong on your radar.

♥ Salvation Army Family Stores: Head to any Salvation Army Family Store on Monday and enjoy half-off savings on all clothing, in addition to in-store specials. All locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

♥ ARC’s Value Village Thrift Stores: Enjoy 50% discounts across the board Monday during ARC’s store-wide sale. (Exclusions include sale items and merchandise with white and orange tags.) Bonus: Village Rewards Members get to shop the sale starting Sunday. If you’re not already a member, don’t worry, you can join the day of! Stores will be both Sunday and Monday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

♥ Goodwill: Take a break from the barbecue Monday and pop into any Goodwill location for 50%-off savings on all apparel with blue, green and yellow tags. Stores will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

♥ Hidden Treasures Thrift Store: With 30% off savings today and 40% discounts tomorrow, there’s plenty of incentive to shop this recently expanded strip-mall gem. (The store will be closed Sunday and Memorial Day.)

♥ Family Pathways Thrift Stores: If you find yourself traveling on the northern portion of I-35 Monday, stop in at any of the Family Pathways Thrift Stores and save 20-60% off everything in-store including clothing, home decor, accessories, furniture, antiques and collectibles. Store hours vary by location—find out which location’s open when, here.

♥ Savers Thrift Stores: Bask in 50% savings on all clothes, shoes, accessories and bed and bath amenities on Monday. (Offer excludes new merchandise, books, jewelry, items tagged housewares or furniture and is not valid with any other coupon or discount.) Stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

♥ Unique Thrift Stores: Take 50% off everything (except red-tagged new merchandise) at all Unique locations on Monday. Sale also applies at the Valu Thrift in St. Paul. Stores open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

♥ Second Début: Shop and save 25% on all secondhand designer fashions at both locations of this Goodwill offshoot.

♥ Hope Chest for Breast Cancer: Today through Sunday, save 30% off your entire purchase at both the Orono and St. Paul locations. (Note that both stores will be closed Memorial Day.)

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

xoxo,

Meghan

Photo c/o: Fillips Hideaway.

scope it out!

Posted on May 15, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

A few months back, I met with two very nice people from The Salvation Army Northern Division over lunch to discuss some ideas on how we could collaborate. (A thrilling prospect to be sure, given my long-abiding love and appreciation for Sal Val.) Lo and behold, they offered me a whole spread in Scope, their annual printed newsletter, and yesterday, a few advance copies hit my mailbox! #pinchmeplease

Even after making the switch from print to digital publishing career-wise, it’s still a thrill to see my name is print. I’m super proud of the piece, too, which covers 10 tidbits of thrift-store shopping wisdom I’ve picked up through the years. They even ran a couple of my photos! Seriously fun stuff.

Scope ships out to donors across Minnesota (and North Dakota, too!) soon, and should also be available (for free!) at a Family Store location near you. Look for it!

xoxo,

Meghan

heads up: big changes in store at the downtown Salvation Army

Posted on April 28, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

For whatever weird reason, the downtown Salvation Army store has always felt like home to me. There was something about the size, the grit or the smell that could, without fail, transport me back to my hometown Salvation Army store, while at the same time making me feel so rooted and at home in Minneapolis. It’s been an institution to me for so many years. One that I never imagined changing…and yet, it’s about to.

Over the weekend, I got word that the top floor of the downtown location will be turned into a buy-the-pound store permanently, with a grand opening set for Saturday, June 7 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Not surprisingly, I have mixed feelings about this bit of news. One one hand, the prices sound awesome! All clothing and accessories will be $1.49 per pound, housewares will be $1.29 a pound, books will range from 25-49 cents a piece and all electronics will be a flat $3.49. And fans of the Target basement fans don’t need to fret—the lower level will remain the same, i.e. chock-full of cast-off new Target merchandise. But even with the low prices, change-hating ol’ me isn’t exactly sure what to think. Is the quality of the merchandise going to keep taking a total nose-dive? Are they still going to sell furniture? What does this all mean?

I have a note out my PR contact at Salvation Army North regarding some of these questions, including what implications the change in format will have on shopping there over the next month. (I’ll update the post when I hear back.) In the meantime, what do you think? Can you see this being a good or a bad thing? I’m already wistful for the old days and the store hasn’t even changed yet!

xoxo,

Meghan

recently thrifted

Posted on March 9, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

♥ I’ve been a teensy bit obsessed with brass as of late, so I was pretty stoked when I happened upon this set of seven candlesticks at the New to You Thriftique. I immediately imagined them together on top of my piano, and when I noticed they were staggered in height…well that clinched the deal for me. All of them together cost $4, i.e. 57 cents a piece.

♥ Juice glasses are the just-right size for wine (and, I guess, juice), so when I spotted this set at the Salvation Army Family Store in St. Cloud, I had to bring ’em home. The bonus is that they match the other set in my cupboard wonderfully! (They were 49 cents a pop.)

♥ I paid 25 cents for this Lars Syberg planter at a neighborhood church rummage and I’m just smitten with it. Hopefully the crocus bulbs I’m trying to force into bloom appreciate their pretty mid-century home!

♥ I stumbled upon this stash of beautifully embroidered, 99-cent hankies at Bibles for Missions in Crystal and had to buy them all. They’re just so sweet!

♥ While I’m always on the lookout for new-old Betty cookbooks to add to my stash, this copy of Betty Crocker’s Microwave Cookbook is actually for my pal Cindy. (Of course I already have a copy, LOL obsessed much?) She makes all kinds of delicious magic both on her blog and for BettyCrocker.com and I can’t wait to see what ideas this book inspires. (I have no doubt they’ll be awesome!)

Have y’all found anything worth raving about recently? If so, I’d love to hear about it!

xoxo,

Meghan

recently thrifted

Posted on February 17, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

I can’t believe how long it’s been since I shared some thrifted finds with y’all! Truthfully, I’ve been on a bit of a “look, but don’t buy” kick, as I continue to edit my belongings (and stick to my budget). That said, here are a few functional items that’ve made the cut.

♥ The graceful lines and mid-century-like starbursts on this vase sold me. Found for $2 at the New to You Thriftique in Golden Valley.

♥ I finally bought pillows for a pair of handmade lace-covered pillow cases I thrifted at Bibles for Missions oh, about three years ago. They were 25 cents a piece (the prices at that place are nuts!).

♥ I scored two ’30s-era Ovenex Starburst-patterned muffin tins at a neighborhood church rummage sale for 50 cents a pop. I gave ’em a workout this morning, whipping out some Cream Cheese-Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread bites for our snow-day brunch. (Both plates pictured are thrifted too.)

♥ My boyfriend thought our old coin jar was too small, so I was “okay Mr. Moneybags!” and got this canister for him and his (never-ending supply of) spare change. Found at the Salvation Army Family Store in Burnsville for $2.99.

♥ I bought this fruit bowl made by Royal China Jeannette at the Savers on Lake Street for $3.99. (The hand embroidered tablecloth was purchased at Treasures From the Heart in Baldwin, Wisconsin last April.) They look good together, no?

♥ I’ll never have enough vases (or things that can act as vases), which is why this circa-1975 souvenir glass from the Treasure Chest Gift & Thrift earned a spot in my cabinet…I think it was $1? P.S. I got that freesia for my Thanksgiving table!!!

♥ Another find from the Savers on Lake Street, this covered basket/nest for our (many) remotes (it was $1.99). The verdict’s still out on whether or not the boyfriend will adopt this store-the-remotes-in-the-basket system. If it’s a fail, to the rummage-sale pile it goes!

Have you thrifted anything you’re stoked about? If so, I’d love to hear what you’ve found and how you’re putting it to use!

xoxo,

Meghan

heads up: customer appreciation savings at the Burnsville Salvation Army

Posted on January 30, 2014 by highplainsthrifter

Just popping by to share this fun, in-store special the Burnsville Salvation Army is running on Thursdays. I happened to stop by the store last Thursday, and when I was checking out, I learned that I just so happened to be 50th shopper of the day. Score! If you haven’t visited this store, know that it’s one of my absolute favorite Salvation Army stores in town. It’s really big, it’s never picked over (except around Halloween) and I always find some treasures. Last week I scored big on dresses, along with some cute stuff to craft with and use in the kitchen. My wild-card find was an old floating minnow bucket that’s going to fit right in at the cabin. I can’t wait to go back and put my 50%-off coupon to use!

If you go, and want to hit more stores while you’re down that way, check out my Burnsville Thrifting Loop map below, which highlights other nearby stores. (Click View Larger Map for store details, including addresses, hours and phone numbers.)

xo,

Meghan

heads up: black friday thrift-store sales

Posted on November 28, 2013 by highplainsthrifter

Truth be told, I’m not big into Black Friday. Yes, I love me some bargains, but I also love me some sleep, especially on a rare Friday off. And the thought of getting up at the crack of dawn to bust down the doors of some mega-chain store? Not appealing in the least. But since a fair amount of thrifts have hopped on the Black Friday bandwagon, I feel it my duty to tell you what’s the haps in case you’re out and about shopping on Friday and are looking to save some moola.

Salvation Army Family Thrift Stores
Enjoy 50% savings on clothing at all Twin Cities and Saint Cloud stores. Keep an ear out for special deals like half-off books, housewares, etc. announced every hour on the hour. Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Savers
Super Savers Club members will save 30% on all used merchandise. Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Second Début Pick a black licorice you’ll get 15% off your entire purchase, while a draw of red licorice gets you 10 percent savings. Sweet! Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Unique
VIP Unique card holders take 30% off all used merchandise at all six Twin Cities locations. (More info on Unique’s VIP program is right this way!) Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Hidden Treasures Thrift Store
Take 40% off EVERYTHING in the store, including Christmas merchandise and furniture! Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

ARC’s Value Village Stores
All items with a green tag will be 50% off. Be sure to check out the Merry Thriftmas boutique while you’re there! Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Stores
Early birds arriving between 10 a.m. and noon will get a big ole’ 50% discount on their entire purchase!

Have fun shopping!

xoxo,

Meghan

Photo: source

thrifting trip: elk river

Posted on December 10, 2012 by highplainsthrifter

I thought I’d start the week off by sharing a little about one of my favorite weekend thrifting destinations: the wonderful town of Elk River. Just 40 or so odd minutes outside of the Twin Cities, Elk River’s proximity makes it accessible enough to hit in an afternoon, and once you get there, you’ll find a bunch of thrifts clustered all together. Which to me, makes the drive totally worthwhile.

On 169, you’ll find a big ole’ Sal Val that’s in an old grocery store, a Goodwill and a decent-sized charity thrift called Samaritan’s Way. If you head into town, you’ll find Antiques Downtown, a two-story antique mall that’s packed with cool stuff. My favorite dealer there, hands down, is on the second floor, right at the top of the stairs. You’ll know it when you see it because it’s all vintage jewelry. It’s pretty cheap too!

Anyhow, I could go on and on about the many trips I’ve taken there through the years, but I’ll leave it up to you to discover for yourself. To make your thrifting journey easy as pie, below you’ll find a map to all my favorite spots. Tip: Click “View Larger Map” to see them all! And click the pinpoints to see pics and details like hours, phone numbers, etc.

If shopping leaves you famished, stop at Minne’s Diner in Rogers for some good eats. And then go to the Goodwill across 94! There’s also a Sonic and a Culver’s off 169 in Elk River, if fast food floats your boat.

Happy hunting!

xo,

Meghan

P. S. Check out some other thrifting maps I made of Family Pathways stores up Highways 35, thrifts in St. Cloud and stores on the way from Minneapolis to Cambridge.